In a acid dry cell battery...

Question

In a acid dry cell battery for which the reaction is Zn + 2 NH₄Cl + 2 MnO₂ → ZnCl₂ + 2 NH₃ + Mn₂O₃ + H₂O, what acts as the oxidizing agent?

a. MnO2

b. NH4Cl

c. Zn

d. ZnCl2

e. Mn2O3

Answer 1

Mn in MnO₂ on the left side has an oxidation number of 4+. Mn in Mn₂O₃ on the right side has an oxidation number of 3+. So, Mn has been reduced making it (MnO₂) the oxidizing agent. Answer (a).